Rich Harden, Esteban Loaiza Suffer Back Spasms

Rich Harden became the second Oakland pitcher in four days to leave a game early due to back spasms, joining rotation mate Estaban Loaiza, whose appearance Sunday was shortened with the same malady. Loaiza is throwing on the side and may be ready to return to action this weekend, but Harden has been dispatched to San Francisco for an MRI with the date of his return indeterminate. Harden, 3-0 with a 3.58 ERA coming into Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Rangers at Arlington, left in the fourth inning when he wrenched his back trying to stop a ball hit off the bat of Texas cleanup hitter Phil Nevin.